Philadelphia MFT

As a therapist, a great chunk of my time is spent guiding people through difficult moments in their lives. Different issues call for different solutions, but there is one piece of advice that can be used universally: embrace empathy. Empathy is the ability to detect and vicariously experience the feelings of others. I encourage everyone to spend more time in other people’s shoes. It is easy to become separated from other's experiences but empathy is too important to disconnect from. Here are some benefits of incorporating empathy into your daily routine:

Better treatment of others and yourself

When you can identify with how a person is feeling you tend to treat them better than you normally would. You may not have experienced what they are going through exactly but the feelings are familiar. Thinking about how you would want to be treated in these moments helps.

Builds trust

When a person feels understood, a safe space is created and they are more likely to open up and share. If a person knows that you’ll empathize instead of judge, stronger bonds are formed.

Better communication

Knowing how a person feels and thinks makes it easier to predict their reaction. It also allows you to alter your interaction with people. People are more likely to listen to your point of view, if they feel that you genuinely care about theirs.

The ability to identify with the experiences of others is a skill that everyone should strive to possess. With all of the devastating things happening in the world, it is important to be able to connect and feel. Empathy goes a long way. If you are having trouble identifying with other people, the therapists here are equipped to help. Don’t hesitate to contact us.